I have talked about batteries many times here. Odyssey batteries are the only batteries that use new lead with a 4 year warranty. I can provide a coupon to save you 20% on your purchase from the factory, plus free shipping. They have been proven many times as the best AGM batteries money can buy.

Yes, I am sponsored, but I can say not only have I, but many pros use Odyssey's if they are staying with lead based batteries.

I'm gonna guess Odyssey is NOT made by Northstar or visa-versa, because their batt group sizes and cases do not match at all. Odyssey has ODD sizes. Northstar DOES make the X2 Power Premium that you can buy from Batteries Plus Bulbs stores (10% off when you buy online and sometimes they have a $30 mail-in rebate on top of that).

I'm shopping for batteries too. Found the price gap is closing between the 'cheap' (Lol) AGM's and the high-end ones, making it more of a 'no brainer' to stay with the good ones. I'd shopped Odyssey hard but just can't swing (fit) these MASSIVE 78 lb Group 31 batteries vs their next size down group 34 that 49 lbs. They make a 69# group 31 but I wanted a group 27 crank and 3 group 24 trolling motor batteries (for weight) and those just miss. Northstar/X2 do make the standard sizes. These batteries are so darn heavy compared to other AGM batteries because of their 'virgin lead' (Odyssey) pure lead (99% pure) rather than cheaper lighter lead alloy AGM batteries. The class is Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries (TPPL). It makes a difference.

I've had fantastic results with the Northstar and rebranded versions (dual-pro, X2), when maintained (charged) they last 7-8 yrs. Did that with a good ol heavy transformer CSI Dual Pro charger BUT research shows that they do need charging at different voltage levels and supposedly multi-stage chargers are better. If you check out Professional Mariner's light-weight solid-state 'Pro' series chargers they have a charge setting for AGM, and then they have ANOTHER charge setting for high-end AGM like Odyssey. Anyone vouch for those Pro Mariner chargers?

There's ONE MORE TPPL AGM battery I've wanted to get my paws on and it's called Fullriver AGM, but ONLY their Full Throttle AGM is supposedly 'pure lead'. Heard they're less expensive than the other HP AGM's...? They come in std sizes too. They look like a Northstar rebrand. Hard to get any real info on these, supposedly distributed by Battery Systems, Modesto, however I can't find local dealers? I'll call them this week and report back...

Northstar and Odyssey are the same. So is the Cabelas, Dihard Plat, Batteries Plus X2 and Drakon. Same cases same construction and pure lead. I have had several Odyssey's and Northstars. The reason to buy one over the other is the warranty and price.

drew wrote:Northstar and Odyssey are the same. So is the Cabelas, Dihard Plat, Batteries Plus X2 and Drakon. Same cases same construction and pure lead. I have had several Odyssey's and Northstars. The reason to buy one over the other is the warranty and price.

They are NOT the same Drew, I'm real certain: I can't vouch for who makes what except that Northstar makes the X2 Power AGM that Batteries Plus Bulbs sells, but Cabela's, Diehard, Optima, Autozone, Deka (and so forth) are NOT thin plate pure lead (TPPL) like Odyssey, Northstar, X2, and some others I've never heard of like Full Throttle. TPPL's have lasted me over 7 yrs of hard use. Worth the upsell.

There's a big difference: cheaper AGM's are lead alloy, could be recycled lead, and they're lighter weight because of that for the exact same size. Lift them next to each other and you'll see.

TPPL's are different because they behave well in BOTH deep cycle and starting situations, and put out massive MCA's. You're gonna pay for it, but IF you use the right charger, they will last a LONG time. The lead-alloy AGM's are typically thicker plate for deep cycle OR thin for crank power, not as good at BOTH. That's a big clue when you're shopping and they don't mention TPPL.

I've had decent results with the cheaper lead alloy AGM's, last a long time too, but my Duramax diesel truck isn't liking the (cheaper) AutoZone AGM's I bought (7 yrs ago), just not enough CCA's.

That being said, anyone onto a fair priced TPPL battery line please share! I need some ASAP. I may go TPPL for my crank battery and cheaper lead-alloy for TM 36 volt, and hopefully in 2-3 years lightweight varieties of Lithium batteries will be a little more affordable. Currently investigating Fullriver's Full Throttle's TPPL AGM line but can't find where to buy them... I'll try anything, twice!

Nice long winded post. You need to do more homework. The specific batteries that I posted are made by Northstar. They are all TPPL batteries. I have verified this through the regional sales person for Northstar and physically. I just replaced my grp31 Odyssey with a Northstar and they were identical except for color. FWIW there are only three US based battery manufacturers which are Johnson Controls, East Penn Deka and Northstar.

GEORGE D. wrote:thanks everyone for the help one more question will the dual pro professional series 15 amp 3 bank charger charge up the north star batteries thank you george

I've used the CSI Dual Pro 15 amp on my Northstars and they lasted 7-8 yrs year round weekend warrior tournament fishing. Excellent charger. There's a Pro Mariner charger that has a special mode for high-quality AGM's BUT I don't know how much better it could work?

drew wrote:Nice long winded post. You need to do more homework. The specific batteries that I posted are made by Northstar. They are all TPPL batteries. I have verified this through the regional sales person for Northstar and physically. I just replaced my grp31 Odyssey with a Northstar and they were identical except for color. FWIW there are only three US based battery manufacturers which are Johnson Controls, East Penn Deka and Northstar.

I'm not going to get into a big pissin' match over which are TPPL and which are lead alloy batteries Drew, I'm saying AGM's are not all created equally, not even by the same manufacturer. You'll see it first in the price discrepancies. Then you'll notice the LACK of mentioning pure lead, then you'll occasionally see that it's a 'deep cycle' application, not 'dual purpose', but many deep cycle lead alloy AGM batteries have decent MCA's, so they call them dual purpose.

First off, it's cheap. I can't believe that I'm now calling $219.99 cheap, but it is compared to the TPPL batteries. Look at it's description and it's explanation of 'agm'. Nothing there AT ALL about Pure Lead or Thin Plate AGM Tech. Warranties are usually lighter for lead alloy BUT that varies because a longer warranty can be put on either variety if they build that into the price.

AGM battery: There are two types of AGM batteries – lead-calcium and Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL).Lead-calcium: Lead-calcium AGM batteries have many of the operating limitations of the flooded, wet cell battery, but without the hazardous issues. They are single purpose in function and design. The “SLI” design – starting, lighting and ignition – is pulse starting, but cannot be deep cycled. Doing so would shorten service life dramatically. Lead-calcium “deep cycle” batteries are also single purpose by design in that they support deep discharging, and have a specific deep discharge cycle rating. Their thick plates don’t allow for pulse starting power like the SLI design.TPPL: TPPL AGM batteries are dual purpose, have the highest CCA ratings and deep cycle at 400 cycles to 80% depth of discharge. They can be fast charged, and discharged, in the range of -40°F (-40°F) to 176°F (80°C) provide 10-12 years of float service and, best of all, do not fail catastrophically. TPPL AGM batteries are certified environmentally friendly as non-hazardous and non-spillable by US-DOT and International Air Transport Association (IATA).

scottsweet wrote:I have talked about batteries many times here. Odyssey batteries are the only batteries that use new lead with a 4 year warranty. I can provide a coupon to save you 20% on your purchase from the factory, plus free shipping. They have been proven many times as the best AGM batteries money can buy.

Yes, I am sponsored, but I can say not only have I, but many pros use Odyssey's if they are staying with lead based batteries.

If you have any questions, drop me a line at 818-448-3366.

I'd like to take you up on this Scott, because that's a huge break on prices, brings that Odyssey down below Northstar I think? But what model is Odyssey's group 27? Should I just use the 31M-800? Weight-wise real close, 69 lbs. Looks like the ticket...

Looking for something fairly high quality but much lower price. What about this. Universal battery, probably goes by different name. 60 pounds, similar to my Optima, which really helps with 24 V trolling motor, so much more energy than standard sized batteries. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00S1RT5 ... B0087FBT3M

Otay Michael

All I need to get into the money would be the four I usually get along with a 20# kicker.

This is a older thread so you may need to pm to get answers.I use VMax Tank AGM batteries, MR137-120 over 10 years old now and still going strong.look up VMax Tank marine AGM batteries. They ship and offer 10% discount, about 1/2 the price of Odessey for example.Tom

Looking for something fairly high quality but much lower price. What about this. Universal battery, probably goes by different name. 60 pounds, similar to my Optima, which really helps with 24 V trolling motor, so much more energy than standard sized batteries. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00S1RT5 ... B0087FBT3M

I know Michael already bought some, but for those of you that are 'looking for high quality but a lower price', keep in mind that any of the lower priced AGM's are just less expensive lead-alloy batteries that use the AGM electrolyte suspension to make them maintenance free. It's a pretty expensive surcharge over just plain flooded lead acid batteries, and although the CCA and MCA numbers may look comparable, in the real world use they don't have both the deep cycling capacity AND the instant high cranking amps that, for instance, a Mercury Optimax ProXS outboard requires. Lead alloy batteries also have a higher resting discharge rate, than a 99% pure virgin lead AGM like an Odyssey or Northstar, etc. Pure lead outlasts them all.

This is NOT a good place to cut corners. Here, for instance, is some great info on how to pick the right crank battery for your Mercury Optimax, applies to all outboards I'm sure...

Popper wrote:Odyssey BatteriesPros:Back with a 4 year returnHighest CCA ratings and reserve from other brandsVibration and shock impact resistance-Miltary grade

Con:tax included$340.00 for group 31 Cranking battery$492.00 for group 31 Deep Cycle for trolling motorLess for group 27-29

You pay upfront, but will get years....of dependable use.

Yup. Pay now or pay later. Pretty much all dead battery stories suck. Cost you a day of fishing, and as all us working folk know, two days of fishing costs 5 days of working.

I feel the same about the other thin plate pure lead batteries; Northstar, X2, Full River Full Throttle, etc., however, it seems no others claim 'pure virgin lead' like Oddysey Extreme, and until i owned one (now several), I had no clue what 1,500 CCA's does until i experienced it... Everything runs better too, electronics, power windows, etc. Less issues with more volts and amps.

The pure lead thin plate technology was produced by one manufacturer. Now it appears it is two which is Northstar and Enersys which is the parent company of Odyssey. 4-5yrs ago when I spoke to a Northstar rep they said they were producing all of the batteries that were TPPL with the case that all of these have in common. As of today Enersys claims that they are not being produced in the same plant. There have been a few mergers/acquisitions recently specifically with Yuasa and Enersys which may have changed the business model.

Fishfreq wrote:

Popper wrote:Odyssey BatteriesPros:Back with a 4 year returnHighest CCA ratings and reserve from other brandsVibration and shock impact resistance-Miltary grade

Con:tax included$340.00 for group 31 Cranking battery$492.00 for group 31 Deep Cycle for trolling motorLess for group 27-29

You pay upfront, but will get years....of dependable use.

Yup. Pay now or pay later. Pretty much all dead battery stories suck. Cost you a day of fishing, and as all us working folk know, two days of fishing costs 5 days of working.

I feel the same about the other thin plate pure lead batteries; Northstar, X2, Full River Full Throttle, etc., however, it seems no others claim 'pure virgin lead' like Oddysey Extreme, and until i owned one (now several), I had no clue what 1,500 CCA's does until i experienced it... Everything runs better too, electronics, power windows, etc. Less issues with more volts and amps.